State senate campaigns crucial to state government
It is going to take some serious work by Republicans to hold onto the state senate in 2015 and Majority Leader Tommy Norment knows it. In his end-of-session press release he made a point of mentioning “Republican leadership” several times when touting this year’s ability to get things done.
And rightfully so.
Last year, with a divided legislature, Democratic overstretch in insisting to tie Obamacare expansion to the state budget when they had a majority in the state senate led to a stalemate that lasted until June. It was only a Democratic senators retirement that broke the logjam.
But those days could return - and Norment certainly wants all of us to remember.
However, if you needed further clarification from Gov. Terry McAuliffe that he wants to have the senate back in Democrat control - and that Virginia Beach will be ground zero for the challenges, he provided that clarity. (PilotOnline.com)
“We need to pick up one seat and I feel very confident we’re going to do it,” said McAuliffe to reporters Friday. Right now the GOP holds only a 21-19 advantage. Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, will break any ties.
Gary McCollum, a former Army Ranger and Cox Communications exec is taking on Sen. Frank Wagner and Dave Belote, a former Air Force colonel is the likely Democrat to face Del. Bill DeSteph for the privilege of succeeding Sen. Jeff McWaters.
Republicans are very much playing defense, trying to win the two Beach seats and win open seats with the retirements of Sens. John Watkins and Walter Stosch. Of those four contests, only two can be said to be generally safely Republican.
While there is some possibility of GOP pick-ups elsewhere, the path to keep 21 is going to be a tough one. It would be best if the GOP were all on one sheet of music...but....
Virginia GOP infighting
The Washington Post took a swag at explaining the Republican political landscape in Virginia. Think about that for a second. Does anyone really think the Washington Post is interested in calming the GOP waters? And if it's showing controversy in Virginia in order to show a rift with national efforts, it's probably safe to say this article isn't to further advance the GOP agenda.
That said, read Shaun Kenney’s excellent observations on the article at BearingDrift.com.
Terry the Triangulator
Despite the minor issues of the GOP in the commonwealth (which is natural for a strong political party seeking to grow) Norm Leahy writes an observation to an analysis provided on the liberal blog Blue Virginia, "Republicans, despite their best, repeated, even dogged, efforts, aren’t completely down and out this year. Or next.
"But let’s look a this another way…
"McAuliffe’s high praise of the way this session went could be his subtle way of further stirring the GOP pot. The Macker praises you? You are obviously part of the problem and must be cleansed. Conventions and mass meetings for everybody!" (BearingDrift.com)
Death of run-off bill
So, mea culpa. I didn’t even know Sen. Bill Carrico had a bill to create run-off elections in Virginia (SB742) and it passed the Senate Feb. 9 with votes to spare. Had I known, I assuredly would have written in support of it. As it stands, I only learned of the legislation today via Kenric Ward. And that the outcome was for it to languish and die an obsequious death in the House Appropriations Committee. Odd that House Republicans torpedoed the bill. (WatchDog.org)
Griffith and Hurt weekly newsletters; Forbes on Netanyahu speech
Congressman Morgan Griffith wrote his weekly newsletter on the rule of law (morgangriffith.house.gov). Congressman Robert Hurt expounded on oversight of the Federal Reserve (hurt.house.gov).
Regarding tomorrow's address to a joint session of Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which you can watch via C-SPAN at 10:45 am, Congressman Randy Forbes says:
“At a time when our allies across the globe continue to have questions about this Administration’s commitment and competency, the United States’ support for Israel should be unwavering. Instead, we see the White House prioritizing risky negotiations with a nuclear obsessed Iran over the concerns of a trusted ally, and Democratic Members of Congress playing into a partisan spectacle rather than respecting the longstanding relationship between our two countries. To allow the American commitment to the nation of Israel to be thus called into question is not only shortsighted, it is detrimental to security and U.S. interests in the region.”
End of session wrap-up with Joe Thomas
I was on Joe Thomas Show (WCHV-Charlottesville) this morning to offer some observations about the 2015 General Assembly session, including Joe’s proposal for Speaker Howell and other incumbents seeking to fend off challengers and a quick review of where we stand with redistricting. I’m on until the 7 minute mark and return at the 15 minute mark.
|
|
